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By WES RAYNAL

The old rap on the Audi A4 has been that it's a choppy ride, with a too-heavy front end and a tiny back seat. With a new Mercedes-Benz C-Class and the newish BMW 3 Series on the market, the A4's flaws were magnified. With its new A4, which made its public debut at the Frankfurt motor show on Sept. 11, Audi hopes it has caught and passed its German brethren.

The new A4 is bigger than the car it replaces, six inches longer in wheelbase and overall length and two inches wider. Although Europeans will have a choice of five direct-injected engines ranging in power from 143 to 265 hp, we will get two: the 3.2-liter V6 producing 265 hp and 243 lb-ft of torque and the 2.0-liter, 200-hp turbo four.

We had a chance to cruise around Italy for half a day in the V6-powered car with a six-speed Tiptronic transmission. The V6 pulled strong and smooth, and the ride felt greatly improved; the long wheelbase helps, clearly. And while "supple" has never been a term used with stiffly sprung Audis, this ride is far less jarring than the outgoing car's.

It's a sharper handler, too, because of several subtle but important changes. Audi engineers moved the front differential forward of the clutch, so the engine sits farther back; the lower rack-and-pinion steering system helps lower the center of gravity; the quattro all-wheel-drive system now splits torque 40/60 front/rear. Combined with the new aluminum suspension (five-link front, multilink rear), it all adds up to a car that feels less front-end-heavy than the outgoing model and responds crisply to driver inputs. There is excellent body control in the corners. It is a more enjoyable driving experience overall, and we look forward to trying the 2.0-liter turbo.

One option we recommend is Audi Drive Select. At the push of a button on the dash, ADS adjusts accelerator-pedal response, power-steering weight and ratio and shift points. ADS has comfort (softest), dynamic (sportiest), auto (computer-controlled based on driving style) and individual (set and controlled through Multi Media Interface) modes. Turn-in is much quicker with ADS, and the car responds to the right foot a lot better. Audi hasn't priced ADS yet but hinted that it would add less than $3,000 to the sticker. We think ADS is worth a look.

The interior is simply fantastic. A8 and R8 customers, let alone A4 owners, will feel at home. The comfort level is incredible, and the quality of the materials looks great. Audi's string of gorgeous interiors continues unbroken.

Plans are for the car to be on sale in the United States in fall 2008 as a 2009 model. Audi hasn't decided on prices yet, but if history holds, we do not expect a big increase from today's $35,000.



SPECS

ON SALE: Fall 2008

BASE PRICE: $35,000 (est)

DRIVETRAIN: 3.2-liter, 265-hp, 243-lb-ft V6; awd, six-speed Tiptronic automatic

CURB WEIGHT: 3480 lb (Europe)

0-60 MPH: 6.1 sec (est)

FUEL ECONOMY: N/A


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atuv

The ex design grew on me alot i really like it but i can't say the same about the interior it's of high qality i know but it just seems so busy!

NarutoRamen

Not too fond of that red. I'll take one in white, black or blue please.

Osnabrueck

Man I love the red! A great thing about the Audi A4 - and most every Audi for that matter - is that they look good in virtually any color.

I can't wait to drive this car. The A4 and/or A5 could be the next car I aspire to.

ateekt

All I can figure-out from this snap is that, future if Audi is bright ...!